First Nations Leading Transformative Fisheries Policy Development
Fisheries and aquatic resources are central to First Nations communities, providing food, sustaining local economies, supporting cultural practices, and reflecting ways of life that have been passed down through generations. However, many fisheries policy processes continue to be shaped by changing government mandates and political priorities, creating challenges for long-term planning and sustainable resource management.
To help create more proactive and Indigenous-led approaches to fisheries policy, the First Nations Fisheries Council of British Columbia (FNFC) launched the FNFC FishTank, a First Nations-led policy initiative focused on fisheries and aquatic resource management.
A More Proactive Approach to Policy
With support from the Indigenous Stewardship Fund (ISF), FNFC is convening First Nations communities, fisheries organizations, academic partners and technical staff to identify strategic priorities and advance forward-looking policy recommendations grounded in First Nations rights, interests and stewardship responsibilities.
As part of the initiative, FNFC plans to develop three external-facing policy papers each year on topics such as Indigenous-led fisheries governance, habitat protection, climate adaptation, water management and co-management approaches. By advancing First Nations-led perspectives and recommendations, the initiative aims to strengthen public understanding, support long-term policy change and build momentum for more collaborative and Indigenous-informed decision-making processes.
Stronger Together Through a Shared Voice
The project also reflects the province-wide trust and relationships that underpin FNFC’s work. Across British Columbia, over 200 First Nations communities hold distinct cultures, knowledge systems, priorities, and connections to their lands and waters. Through FNFC’s formal engagement model, FNFC brings together First Nations communities and organizations from across the province to share regional perspectives, identify shared priorities, and build consensus around common interests. These collective perspectives are then distilled into coordinated recommendations and coherent messages that help inform leadership, policy discussions and government decision-making.
FNFC formal engagement model to bring Nations together under a common voice.
(Photo Credit: FNFC)
The Indigenous Stewardship Fund (ISF) works in close partnership with the First Nations Fisheries Council (FNFC), which serves as a frontline organization for collaboration with First Nations across British Columbia. FNFC leads relationship-building and engagement with more than 200 First Nations across the province, listening to and identifying Nations’ interests, priorities and perspectives. ISF complements this work by serving as the funding mechanism that helps turn those relationships and priorities into action. Together, FNFC and ISF ensure that the leadership, needs and priorities of BC First Nations are met with flexible and accessible resources that support Indigenous-led stewardship, habitat protection and long-term environmental resilience.
